- Butter Knife
Explore Further
In 1861, butter was first commercially produced. While critics argued that farm butter was of higher quality, the factory-produced equivalent was an acceptable alternative. Metal butter dishes, equipped with a special knife, made their first appearance during this period, while Catharine Beecher advised hostesses that when setting the table "a small plate should be placed at each place for butter. . . . ”
Related examples: B.88.16.1–.5, B.88.17.1–.3; also retailed by Samuel W Benedict, descended in the same family.
Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff. American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.
ProvenanceDr. Jasper Gibbs (1810–1876) and Laura Jane Drake Gibbs (1821–1855, m. 1839), and his second wife, Sallie Candler Gibbs (1839–1928, m. 1857), Mexia, Texas; given to their daughter Mary Gibbs (Mrs. Jesse H. Jones, 1872–1962); given to her granddaughter Audrey Jones Beck (1924–2003), Houston; given to MFAH, 1988.
Exhibition HistoryLoaned to the Houston Endowment, Inc. for the permanent exhibit on Jesse H. Jones (but never displayed), February 1, 1994–June 24, 2003 (see YL.2003-15 or previous number LN:93.29).
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Mark of Wood & Hughes [Belden 1980, p. 454]
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
